FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2012

TWO MANATEES REHABILITATED AT

STATE PARK RELEASED TODAY

Krystal the manatee awaits her release today at

Three Sisters Springs in the Crystal River.

HOMOSASSA -Two manatees rehabilitated at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State
Park were released today at Three Sisters Spring in the Crystal
River.The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service picked up the
manatees,
named CC Baby and Krystal, from
the park and
transported
them to
Three Sister Springs for release.

“We are always pleased to see manatees released back into
the wild after their care at Homosassa Springs,” said Park Manager Art Yerian.
“The park’s participation in manatee rehabilitation is an important component
of manatee education and conservation in Florida.”

CC Baby was an orphaned baby manatee rescued from the Caloosahatchee River because of cold stress on Sept.
16, 2007. At the time of rescue, she weighed 73 pounds. She was brought to
Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa
for rehabilitation, and then spent time in the Cincinnati Zoo. CC Baby arrived
at Ellie Schiller Homosassa
Springs Wildlife
State Park on Nov. 2,
2010, and has grown to 635 pounds.

Krystal was rescued on Dec. 8, 2009, from Three Sisters
Springs in Citrus County, as an orphaned calf with cold
stress. She weighed 198 pounds at the time and was taken to the Miami
Seaquarium. She arrived at Homosassa
Springs State
Park on March 11, 2010, weighing about 300 pounds and has grown to 670 pounds.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa
Springs Wildlife
State Park has participated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release program for more than 30 years and
during that time has rehabilitated and released more than 20 manatees back into
the wild.

About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails

The nation’s best state parks and trails have joined forces. Now a part of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service, the award-winning Office of Greenways and Trails manages the 110-mile Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, eight state trails and more. Florida’s award-winning state parks have inspired residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that helps to strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With 160 parks, 700,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 600 miles of multi-use trails, visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. For more information, visitwww.FloridaStateParks.orgorwww.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/.